Read
(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.” A love song.)
For a Royal Wedding
1My thoughts are filled
with beautiful words
for the king,
and I will use my voice
as a writer would use
pen and ink.
2No one is as handsome as you!
Your words are always kind.
That is why God
will always bless you.
3Mighty king, glorious ruler,
strap on your sword
4and ride out in splendor!
Win victories for truth
and mercy and justice.
Do fearsome things
with your powerful arm.
5Send your sharp arrows
through enemy hearts
and make all nations fall
at your feet.
6 You are God, and you will rule
forever as king.
Your royal power
brings about justice.
7You love justice and hate evil.
And so, your God chose you
and made you happier
than any of your friends.
8The sweet aroma of the spices
myrrh, aloes, and cassia
covers your royal robes.
You enjoy the music of harps
in palaces decorated
with ivory.
9Daughters of kings are here,
and your bride stands
at your right side,
wearing a wedding gown
trimmed with pure gold.
10Bride of the king,
listen carefully to me.
Forget your own people
and your father's family. 11The king adores you.
He is your master,
so do what he desires.
12All of the richest people
from the city of Tyre
will try to influence you
13with precious treasures.
Your bride, my king,
has inward beauty,
and her wedding gown is woven
with threads of gold.
14Wearing the finest garments,
she is brought to you,
followed by her young friends,
the bridesmaids.
15Everyone is excited,
as they follow you
to the royal palace.
16Your sons and your grandsons
will also be kings
as your ancestors were.
You will make them rulers
everywhere on earth.
17I will make your name famous
from now on,
and you will be praised
forever and ever.
Reflect
Psalm 45 overflows with love language. Perhaps it was written for Solomon, or perhaps it was intended to be used for any of Israel’s kings. But the quotation from this Psalm in Hebrews 1:8 leaves no doubt that the early church took the Psalm to be Messianic. This double-entendre is captured in vv 6-7, where the distinction between the king and Christ is blurred. The psalm pulsates with life and points forward to the relationship between Christ, the groom, and the Church, his bride.
The psalmist is lost for words, overwhelmed. The best of music and poetic words must be used to describe the majesty of the bridegroom. He is “the most excellent of men” (v2). Every word he speaks is kind and true. He is anointed with grace. He rules with power and splendour.
Like the bridegroom in the psalm, Christ knows how to deal with his enemies. He is the author of truth, mercy and justice. His standard for law, order and righteous living are far above standards laid out by our society or our government. He sets his own standard because he is righteous and holy. Nations fall at his feet. His rule will not be for a decade or for an election term, but for eternity. He is God’s Son with no beginning or end.
We, the church, are his bride! All too often we see ourselves as being in need, incomplete, lacking. Christ sees as with different eyes – a lover’s eyes. We are beautiful, complete, and totally loved. He died to have relationship with us – an intimate relationship of heart, mind and spirit, likened to a groom and bride. It’s time to give up those attachments that would put a wedge in the relationship. He wants our whole heart—all of it!
Charles Wesley wrote: “My heart is full of Christ!” That is love – total commitment and devotion to Christ. This spiritual union will produce heirs from generation to generation. It will make Jesus famous!
Respond
Dear Father, When I feel banged around with family and career pressures, help me to remember who I truly am as the Bride of Christ. When I am overwhelmed with my own inadequacies, lift my spiritual eyes to see your power and greatness. You are mine, I am yours . . . forever. Amen.
Margaret Gibb
Margaret has been actively involved in Canada with ministries to women for over 35 years, serving for 10 years as President of Women Alive. A writer and international speaker, Margaret has a passion to see women fulfill their God-given calling. In October 2011, she founded a new ministry organization, Women Together, that will engage professional Canadian women to come along side women in developing countries with skills development, leadership training, spiritual encouragement and support.